Olive material that i just aquired at an internet auction. Need the groups help/ideas

Benny w

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The pictures of this material posted on the auction website looked to me like only 1/3 of the tree was dead and in reality it's about 2/3 which kinda threw me off. I still like it but would like some guidance of what to do first and how to style it. I have joined a club but first meeting isn't until September.
My background: Im a farmer/PCA and work for a small organic fertilizer dealer/citrus management co.. I can keep trees alive and healthy. I have been growing pre bonsai for a year and have bought a couple finished trees but have come to a point from the styling/artistic side where I need help and so this being my first post hello to everyone and I have thick skin so dont worry or hold back you wont hurt my feelings.
 

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Benny w

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These are pics I just took myself that clearly show more deadwood. Broom style is my first thought with the deadwood cleaned up making it a main feature of this tree..
 

Adair M

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Where do you live?

Olives are easy: full sun 24/7; water; fertilize.

Wire, let grow, remove wire, cut back, let grow.

Repeat.

Occasionally remove excess suckers from trunk.

Remove old leaves, and remove branches and leaves growing off the bottoms of branches.

That’s pretty much it!

Oh... repot when they are actively growing. (Usually spring and summer.)
 

Benny w

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Where do you live?

Olives are easy: full sun 24/7; water; fertilize.

Wire, let grow, remove wire, cut back, let grow.

Repeat.

Occasionally remove excess suckers from trunk.

Remove old leaves, and remove branches and leaves growing off the bottoms of branches.

That’s pretty much it!

Oh... repot when they are actively growing. (Usually spring and summer.)

I live in Fresno Ca. ( central california).
I cant get finished image in my head and so am hesitant to cut anything anything until I do. For example if I cutback and decide that broom sucks with all that deadwood I might want a long branch to graft. Maybe I'm thinking to much into it but i appreciate the advice. Cutback to 2-3 leaf?
Thanks
 

Adair M

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You don’t need to graft olives. They bud out everywhere!

Just do what I said before. Give it a bit of time. It will reward good treatment!
 

Benny w

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You don’t need to graft olives. They bud out everywhere!

Just do what I said before. Give it a bit of time. It will reward good treatment!
I have never tried an approach graft (and will follow your advice) but in these pics I just added does it look like a graft or is this natural...
 

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Adair M

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I have never tried an approach graft (and will follow your advice) but in these pics I just added does it look like a graft or is this natural...
I don’t know. I guess it could be either.

Olives back bud on old wood like crazy. Feed it well, put it in well draining soil, give it lots of sun, and the next thing you know you’ll be complaining it’s too much work because you’re having to trim off all the unwanted back buds!

Check out some of the olives on the “Shout out to Adair” thread.

Patience...
 

Adair M

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Is there any way to stop suckering? I get some 50-100 of them all around. And after removing it takes about 2 weeks for them to peek through again.
Not that know of. I’m constantly cutting them off!

I think the easiest way is to sell the olive to someone else!
 

Benny w

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I took this pic in December. Not much action since it's been winter. I still cant see the bonsai in this olive. I see possibilities though
 

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Benny w

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I think I've found the way I want to style it. The branch with the most movement is obvious but trying to picture what I want it to look like is always tough for beginners in this hobby. So I brought the tree to yesterday's monthly FBS meeting where my fellow club members helped me out. I gained some confidence when my choices of what to leave and what to prune were in line with what senior members also saw. Will post a picture soon
 
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